The forgotten team
The Ohio State Buckeyes finished their 2012 NCAA football season undefeated, at 12-0, after beating the then-No. 19th Michigan Wolverines on Saturday. Although being one of two teams (see Notre Dame) to finish this season without a loss, the Buckeyes aren’t eligible for a bowl game because of previous NCAA sanctions. Still, the team is ranked No. 4 in the most recent AP poll, but remain unranked in the BCS and coaches’ poll.
As Saturday’s game wound down, no one was talking about an undefeated team in the NCAA. No one cared that the Buckeyes were about to finish their regular season campaign without a blemish — a perfect season.
The argument can be made, though, that Ohio State is the best team in the country.
Although Notre Dame is ranked No. 1 overall in all NCAA polls and rankings, they would have a tough time in a championship matchup against the other undefeated team, Ohio State. However, it’s a game that won’t happen because of the Ohio’s bowl ban.
Ohio State scored about 37 points a game this season while allowing about 22. In comparison, the Fighting Irish score about 27 points per game with a second-best 10 points allowed per game.
Just from looking at these numbers, one can see the game would be a fantastic showdown between a good offense (OSU) and a dominant defense (ND). Each squad is led by Heisman candidates in quarterback Braxton Miller and linebacker Manti Te’o, for the Buckeyes and Irish, respectively.
Beyond the numbers, though, it remains that both teams finished their respective seasons undefeated. It’s a feat that at least one team has accomplished in 14 out of 15 years that the BCS has existed.
If the current postseason ban on Ohio State was not in existence, it is believed by many that the Buckeyes would be competing for the national championship in January with Notre Dame. In a conference as respected as the Big Ten and for a team as successful as Ohio State, it’s a belief that is hard not to accept.
Sure there have been undefeated teams left out of the national championship game before (i.e. Boise State, etc.), however none so from a major BCS conference like the Big Ten. That current AP ranking at No. 4 for the Buckeyes would probably be a 1 or a 2, instead.
Yet, the sanctions are still in existence and thus, Ohio State does not have the opportunity to prove to the nation that they are the best team this year.
Blame it on Terrelle Pryor or Jim Tressel for leaving this 2012 Ohio State football team with a postseason ban. Or, thank them graciously. Both Buckeye figures opened the door for Miller and head coach Urban Meyer to come in an bring an undefeated season to Columbus, Ohio.
Meyer, in his first season as the OSU head coach, has had proven success in the past. He led the Bowling Green to a 17-6 record over two years during his first stint in the NCAA as a head coach. From there, he left for Utah where he led the Utes to their first perfect season (12-0) in school history.
A year after that, Meyer led the Florida Gators to three 13-1 seasons over his tenure at the university, with two BCS National Championships to go along.
Meyer has proven he is one of the greatest college football coaches ever, even more so after his inaugural season with Ohio State.
Even though the Buckeyes may not have been one of the most talented teams this year, the fact still remains that they went undefeated during the regular season. Again, they are only one of two teams to do so this season.
It’s an accomplishment that usually warrants an appearance in the national championship game – one that they could have possibly won against Notre Dame. It’s a feat that is rare in college football, especially by today’s standards. And, finally, it is an honor that might be solely theirs, barring a Fighting Irish loss in the championship game this season.
